Monday, October 17, 2011

My Abba

I've been wondering how to write this post. I have no real answer so have decided to just write and see what comes out.

On Friday October 7th, just before he was due to leave for synagogue services for Yom Kippur, my Dad had a massive stroke. He was rushed to hospital in an ambulance where he spent the night in the Emergency Department. The next day we realised he was continuing to have strokes and had so much damage to his brain that he was not expected to survive more than a day or so.

He held on for another 3 days and passed away very peacefully, surrounded by love and support, last Tuesday. We held his funeral and memorial services yesterday.

I'm exhausted.

There's so much more to tell.... about my Dad and his amazing life.... about my family and how we have supported each other ... about my pain at the loss of my Abba (Hebrew for 'Daddy').... but this doesn't feel like the right time or place. Equally, it doesn't feel right to just press on with this blog without acknowledging events of this past week.


This memorial candle will burn in our home for seven days.  Maybe after that I'll feel ready to get back to this space.

Until then, cuddle your loved ones tight and live your life fully and with purpose. That's my plan!

Andi xx

67 comments:

  1. Jenny from OhjohOctober 17, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Dear Andi & family
    Thinking of you and yours and sending you lots of love.
    Jen & co.

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  2. rachelmpOctober 17, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    Love to you Andi. It was a pleasure to meet your dad x

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  3. KateOctober 17, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    So sorry Andi - thinking of you. xx

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  4. HeleneOctober 17, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    I'm so sorry, all my love Andi, wishing you and your family long life.
    x H

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  5. MerranOctober 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    So sorry to hear this news Andi. May he rest in peace.

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  6. Partito y MonitoOctober 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    So sorry to hear about your Dad, Andi. Thinking of you all. Tanya XX

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  7. NoolyOctober 17, 2011 at 4:59 PM

    Oh Andi,
    I am so sorry for you loss...
    Thinking of you....

    Love,
    Yael

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  8. becOctober 17, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Shedding a few tears for you and your family, Andi, a beautiful post. We're here when your ready to come back. thinking of you.

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  9. Quilting CornerOctober 17, 2011 at 5:08 PM

    I'm saddened to hear of this news. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
    Fondly. Etty

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  10. Cathy @ CabbageQuiltsOctober 17, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    My thoughts and love are with you Andi. Sounds as though your Dad had a wonderful family surrounding him. Take care of yourself xo

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  11. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    I call Abba my Father in heaven. I know what it means to love my Father that way , it is like the way you speak of your Abba! Im so sorry for the loss but know he is always in your heart and mind and you in his!!!
    There is a continuation of somekind that does not go away.

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  12. Bianca Jae Makes StuffOctober 17, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart aches for you all. Much love xox

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  13. AnonymousOctober 17, 2011 at 5:49 PM

    thinking of you during this sad time Andi. take care.

    x

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  14. MaritOctober 17, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    Andi, I am so sorry for your loss. Please take care.

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  15. AnnieOctober 17, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    My heart goes out to you

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  16. KirstyOctober 17, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    So sorry Andi. xx

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  17. JulieOctober 17, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    So sorry Andi. Love to all your family. xx

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  18. flowerpressOctober 17, 2011 at 6:25 PM

    Oh Andi, I'm so sorry to hear about your Abba, you and your family have my thoughts. My father survived his massive stroke but life has never been the same.

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  19. thornberryOctober 17, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    My condolences Andi. Take care.

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  20. KateOctober 17, 2011 at 7:09 PM

    I'm so sorry for you and your family Andi. What an amazing man your Aba was. I'm crying for you now as I was when I first heard the news. So sad. Like I wrote in the text, I'm so pleased I got to spend that afternoon in Ballarat with you last year. I wish you long life and am sending you the hugest kiss and cuddle. xx

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  21. SamanthaOctober 17, 2011 at 7:15 PM

    I am so sorry Andi. I can't imagine your pain but I pray for strength for you at such a difficult time. You are lucky to have had such a wonderful Daddy! I hope your beautiful memories bring a smile.

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  22. yardage girlOctober 17, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I so sorry for your loss, Andi. My thoughts are with you. Nic

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  23. LaraOctober 17, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Andi, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you and your family peace and love in the coming days while you support one another.

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  24. waveriderOctober 17, 2011 at 8:06 PM

    Andi, so sorry to hear of the sad loss of your Abba. Thinking of you and all your family.

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  25. anhaga sae / lisaOctober 17, 2011 at 8:12 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear your sad news Andi. My thoughts are with you and your family. Take care.

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  26. UnknownOctober 17, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Abba. Thinking of you.

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  27. AngelaOctober 17, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Thinking of you Andi. I hope you and your family are doing ok. xx

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  28. LouiseOctober 17, 2011 at 9:13 PM

    A great big hug to you my lovely friend. Thinking of you and your family. xxx

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  29. LisaOctober 17, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    So sorry to hear your sad news. Peace be with you and your family.

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  30. NikkiOctober 17, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Thinking of you and sending love, Andi. I'm so sorry for your loss xxx

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  31. Montseta - MontsecosecoseOctober 17, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    Dear Andi, I'm so sorry. I can realte to what you're going through as my father died the dame way, unexpected stroke, coma and left us after 5 days.
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
    Take care.

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  32. ClairOctober 17, 2011 at 9:47 PM

    Oh Andi, I'm so, so sorry to hear about your dear abba.
    Love to you and your family.
    x

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  33. JodieOctober 17, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    I think of your dad, chatting and laughing and grinning at Annie, spending time with everyone at our little picnis and speakingly so lovingly of your mum. I hope she is wrapped in love right now Andi and I wish I were able to do the same for you and the kids.

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  34. stitchinpennyOctober 17, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    So sorry for your loss. Continue to grieve and use that time to cement some of your fondest memories in your heart and mind so you can return to them often.

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  35. LisaOctober 17, 2011 at 10:24 PM

    Oh I am so sorry. What a shocker. You are right though, wrap your arms around the ones you love, all the time. May your heart heal soon. oxox

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  36. LeslyOctober 17, 2011 at 10:28 PM

    I'm so sorry for your loss, Andi - may his memory be as a blessing. I feel your pain - my mother was taken the same way three years ago. Wishing you and your family long life and peace as you go through this difficult time.

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  37. quilaryOctober 17, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

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  38. BethanyOctober 17, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    I'm so sorry. I'm thinking about and praying for you and your family.

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  39. GerryARTOctober 17, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    Oh, Andi, my heart goes out to you and your family.
    Love 'n Hugs all the way 'round.
    Gerry

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  40. Frog QuilterOctober 17, 2011 at 11:15 PM

    My heart aches for you at this time. HUGS HUGS HUGS

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  41. two hipposOctober 18, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss. May your father's memory be for a blessing and may you be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

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  42. Angela NashOctober 18, 2011 at 3:48 AM

    Ugh. Love and prayers for you and your family, Andi.

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  43. JaceyOctober 18, 2011 at 5:11 AM

    I'm so sorry you lost your Abba. I'm thinking of you and your family as you put the pieces back together.

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  44. CardygirlOctober 18, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your much loved and respected Abba. My thoughts are with you.

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  45. Quiltn MamaOctober 18, 2011 at 7:43 AM

    I'm so sorry for your loss.

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  46. CamillaOctober 18, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    So sorry to hear your news, wishing you and your family long life

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  47. Red Pepper Quilts - Rita HodgeOctober 18, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    So sorry for you loss Andi, thinking of you and all of your family. Take care of you. xx

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  48. CitricSugarOctober 18, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Oh, Andi! I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm adding you and your family to my prayers. May you all find love, peace and healing.

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  49. MiriamOctober 18, 2011 at 3:46 PM

    Sincere condolences to you and your family, Andi.
    Sending you much love and strength.

    You will know when you are ready to come back to blogging.

    Take care ((hugs))

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  50. FrogdancerOctober 18, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    xx

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  51. KarenOctober 18, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Thinking of you and your family at this time.

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  52. ChristineOctober 18, 2011 at 9:42 PM

    Dear Andi,
    You, your family and your dear Dad are in my prayers.
    With love,
    Christine xo

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  53. Quilts on BastingsOctober 18, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    Dear Andi,
    Thinking of you - with sincere condolences,
    Karen

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  54. jacquieOctober 19, 2011 at 2:56 AM

    oh Andi, I'm so sorry. I came by to catch up (now having new fast internet) and found this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Take good care.

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  55. trashOctober 19, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    Sholem Andi, sholem.

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  56. MegOctober 19, 2011 at 9:20 AM

    Andi, I'm so sorry about your dad. Thinking of you and your family. *hugs*

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  57. JanetOctober 19, 2011 at 10:24 AM

    Love and blessings to you and your family Andi and for the wonderful memories you have of your father.
    XXX

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  58. Leonie @ Cuppa and CakeOctober 19, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    oh Andy...I am so sorry for your loss. Lots of love to you and yours. xxxx

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  59. dianaOctober 20, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    I am so sorry, Andy! Wish you all the strenght, he will always be in your hearts!

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  60. AdeleOctober 20, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Oh Andi, I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Memories are wonderful things for you and your kids to hang onto. Thinking of you. Adele xx

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  61. Krafty KJOctober 20, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    What a loss! May the memories of the good times keep you strong as you stick tight with your family!

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  62. Belinda aka beewareOctober 20, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    I agree sometimes it's hard to know the time & the place to acknowledge the joy & pain of life.
    Be thankful for your father's full & precious life.
    Love to you.

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  63. MarlaOctober 20, 2011 at 11:09 PM

    May his memory be a blessing to you and your family.

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  64. TaniaOctober 21, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    Oh, Sweetheart. I hope you and your dearest are wrapping each other in cotton wool, taking things one very tiny step at a time. I am so, so very sorry for your loss.

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  65. MichelleOctober 21, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Oh Andi. My heart goes out to you and the family. Such a sad sad time... thinking of you xx

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  66. cauchy09October 22, 2011 at 10:15 PM

    My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. {{hugs}}

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  67. CorrieOctober 22, 2011 at 10:54 PM

    I haven't stopped thinking of you. big hugs to you and your family as you adjust to it all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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